First thoughts about US...

I am a second year PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at UNC, Chapel Hill, USA. I am working on the general area of epigenetics and I am interested in unraveling some of the most fascinating processes and mechanisms in biomedical sciences which pertain to transcription, cellular homeostasis including but not limited to signaling, division and death.

On the personal front, I am kinda soaking in the experience of being in the world's most powerful democracy. Now the question which comes to my mind is how the world's oldest democracy,India, is so far behind the world's largest (area-wise) democracy. The causes are many. It always helps to begin early - India became independent in 1947 while USA in 1776. This helped this country to absorb the advantages of the industrial revolution in a manner which suited it. It created a thriving business and entrepreneurial class among its citizens. Developments in science and technology followed and this entire process was helped by the oft-repeated but very crucial principles of liberty, freedom, equality and other basic tenets of democracy. It also helps when more than half of the world lives in ignorance. One does not have to face much competition.

In contrast, we, India, were the unfortunate late-starters. We were insulated from the rest of the world because of various cultural and religious reasons which did backfire upon us in terms of development. Once we got independence, we started our nation-building on the same kinda of principles but somewhere along the lines, I regret to say, we never meant what we said. A large number of vested interests started influencing decisions which could and would make or break a nation. The situation is more alarming, than one would expect and the sooner our country realizes and make amends for it, the better it is for us. We have some pretty awesome things to be proud of and yes, our unparalleled human resource, is one of them. We need to use this to our advantage by giving each individual enough space and opportunity to grow into whatever he/she wishes to be. The more free and independent our young people are today, the less will be the chance of our nation faltering at any junction.

The great Indian debate on civil rights aka decriminalization of homosexuality

The prudes from various religions have combined together as a "unit of idiocy" and then want to dictate terms to a billion and a half people. Who the hell are they to peep into people's bedrooms and tell them who to sleep with? Also, they have no constitutional and legal authority to force their obscurantist philosophy on India. They can keep their "rationale" with themselves . The "logic" proposed, if u will, so far are not just purely dumb but point to their being individuals and organizations of "acute sub-normal intelligence".

1. You can not equate bestiality with homosexuality since the latter encompasses the word "consent" (for the religious dumb wits, it means agreeing to) which the former lacks. You also cannot equate Prostitution with "consensual homosexuality" because the former may involve suppression of one party in lieu of money.
2. The majority of any society will always be heterosexual and hence the idea that mankind is gonna stop breeding is kindaa ridiculous. It did not when homosexuality was prevalent in Greece and ancient India. It did not when Babar was homosexual and it is not crumbling in "civilized western democracies".
3. The idea that it is "unnatural" is fallacious. There are at least 1500 species of animals (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=bisexual-species, for the academically inclined) who have shown homosexual tendencies.
4. The basic tenet of freedom is individual liberty and any criminalization of "bedroom behavior" is an infringement of any body's individual space. As the verdict clearly states that constitutional morality is what is crucial, not the Society's. If we were to go by society's moral standards, we would still have sati, child marriages, stoning of individuals and shit like that. so, lets keep social morality out of the equation.

Individuals who framed the Indian constitution decided upon a democratic form of government where there in freedom of individuals, rights to minorities and various other progressive and modern ideologies like secularism. The same sacred text tells us that one is free to lead his/her life in a way which suits him/her till the time that freedom infringes upon others. The freedom enshrined in the constitution then ceases to exist and the idea of greater good comes to the fore.

In this case, the verdict was "to decriminalize homosexuality insofar it is consensual". The verdict was not to "allow public indecency", as is being interpreted by various people. The honorable high court did not allow for expression of lewd public behavior, as is being construed by many of our fellow countrymen.

It is quite perplexing to see the kinds of rationale which is being put by the people who oppose it. The scenario which has been painted makes the society look so "anarchic" which is counter-intuitive since it is the "private acts" which has been "decriminalized". As far as "public display of affection" goes, the Indian police will make sure that such things do not happen, as it does when married hetero-sexual couples are concerned ;P. (I think everybody knows about the "efficiency" of Indian police in such matters- lets not talk about crimes/ terrorism (actual law and order issues-the boring stuff- etc...). Also the image which is being shown and referred to is the result of media being pre-occupied with painting the gay pride parade as exhibitionist. The parade is a historical day in remembrance of the great stonewalling event of new york in the late 60's. This is akin to innumerable religious processions/political meetings which disrupt normal life and are definitely repulsive for various people but those are allowed in a democracy and so they continue.

It is not a matter of "accepting something since it is being followed in the west". It is a matter of minority rights, sexual minority in this case and hence an issue of human rights. Let us be very clear on this.